13 minute read
VOLUNTEER SERVICES DAY E. Kelly Finney
Timonium Fairgrounds Volunteer Service Day
An English proverb dating back to the 1300’s says, “Many Hands Make Light Work” and this sure was right on August 18 when volunteers representing thirteen different MNLGA member companies came together to finish landscaping both the York and Timonium Road entrances before the Maryland State Fair opened on August 25.
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I say “finish” because as the industry knows, the work started long before the plants arrived. The kudos belong to everyone who participated, but to those who went to turn and prepare the beds ahead of time and wound up digging through cement, clay, rock, glass, and iron with picks, shovels, pry bars and a backhoe, you all deserve an extra “very well done.” Even though most of the volunteers work in all kinds of weather, it was hot, and shade was in short supply in the early hours and non-existent as late morning became afternoon. But the volunteer crews remained focused and undeterred throughout the day. The group was well organized into teams with one group finishing site prep, another placing plants, another digging holes and planting, and someone else recycling pots. Additional planting of shrubs along the York Road fence line, which has a sidewalk running between it and the beds, was also planted with shrubs. When one side was done, the mulching began, and this process continued until all four large triangle shaped beds were finished. As work on the York Road entrance wrapped, most of the crew moved down to Timonium Road while the water truck came in to provide the newly finished landscapes a much-needed drink.
The process repeated itself at the Timonium Road entrance well into late afternoon and the landscaping of both entrances was completed before the dinner bell
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Spacing plants at the York Road Entrance Greg Knighton of Designs with Nature hard at work
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Marion Mullan of the Mullan Nursery Company designed, laid out, and helped plant the Fair Ground entrance beds Brent Cassell and his team from Leyland Landscaping prepping the entrance beds Edie Bernier, State Fair Director of Publicity & Community Relations with George Mayo
(continued from page 44) rang. When the equipment was finally put away and the coolers packed up, there was that palpable sense of pride that only a volunteer project can provide. One of the landscapers said it best, “even when you do this day in and day out, you can just feel how much of a difference a project like this can make.” And I will add that it sure felt good! And to all of you who wanted to participate or thought about participating, please know that we always have room for more hard working, dedicated volunteers, because while it is true that “Many Hands Make Light Work,” even more hands make for lighter work. Thanks to all who showed up and to those who couldn’t, we look forward to seeing you next time. I am not going to name names for fear of leaving someone out, so we wish to thank and recognize the following companies for their participation in the volunteer service day (in no particular order): Mullan Nursery Company Murphy John’s Leyland Landscape Contracting Babikow Greenhouses Kurt Bluemel Manor View Farm The Perennial Farm Griffin Lawn Wrangler Design with Nature George Mayo Valley View Farms Planted Earth
MNLGA Board President John Murphy and Marion Mullan
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Leyland Landscaping Prepping the Timonium Road Entrance "Many Hands Make Light Work"
PAGE 47 CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT
Brent Cassell (Leyland Landscaping), John Murphy (Murphy John's), and Gerry Brewster (Md State Fair) George Mayo with Maryland State Fair Board Chairman, Gerry Brewster Richard Wayshner and John Van der Vliet of Lawn Wrangler ALI Students Paige KooKogey and Em Adler (Babikow Greenhouses) with Caitlyn O'Brien (Mullan Nursery Company) Finishing up at the Timonium Road entrance Digging through cement, clay, rock, glass, and iron with hand tools and heavy equipment
E. Kelly Finney MNLGA Staff kelly@quercusmanagement.com 410-823-8684
Securing the Future
Horticultural Research Institute: By the Industry, For the Industry
The numbers tell a story: In the 60 years since the establishment of the Horticultural Research Institute, the foundation has endowed $9.5 million in research grants and scholarships, drawing on funds contributed by horticulture industry professionals. Of that remarkable figure, $3.6 million has been distributed to more than 100 research projects in the past 10 years. This year alone, HRI will provide $417,039 to support industry-specific research. The generosity of donors, paired with the foundation’s strategic and savvy investment plans, has created a total endowment of nearly $20 million, and it’s a figure that continues to grow. Remarkably, there are more than 200 named funds established by industry professionals, their businesses, and organizations. In addition, 103 scholarships have been awarded since 2007. At the most recent fund-raising gathering of HRI members in July 2022, a record $882,000 was pledged on the spot. Three new funds were established, and existing fund sponsors announced additional contributions to the coffers. “HRI has experienced incredible industry support, especially over the last five years,” states Alan Jones, HRI President (Manor View Farms, Monkton, MD). “The major investments made in HRI by the industry indicates that the work HRI accomplishes is valued and, in turn, allows us to tackle even more.” But the numbers tell only part of the story. The people involved, the research conducted, the programs established, and the students supported all have contributed to the success of HRI and, critically, to the ongoing success of the greater horticulture industry. Sixty years ago, the Horticultural Research Institute was established on the premise that the most useful research—that which would provide practical, actionable solutions—should be determined by those professionals whose work is most directly affected: the horticulture professionals themselves. No one knows their day-to-day challenges better; no one understands their long-term goals more clearly. From Day One, HRI has sought their input in order to drive the research that propels the industry toward growth and stability, vitality and sustainability. Industry professionals identify specific challenges and present their recommendations; HRI’s teams of industry volunteers then assess the industry relevance and scientific merit of grant proposals. Horticulture professionals also evaluate all scholarship applications. Dan Batson, current HRI treasurer and president and CEO of Greenforest Nursery, Inc., in Perkinston, Mississippi, explains the concept: “Those of us on the board, as well as HRI members and contributors, see this as a way for the industry itself to influence and maneuver the research that needs to be done through the universities,” he states. “We give them the ideas of what needs to be done in our industry: say, this is today’s problem, one that we need to have solved as soon as possible. The progressiveness of our industry is really dependent on people who can connect the research directly to our industry.” Susie Usrey, vice president of customer relations for Monrovia, agrees. Susie and her husband, Bruce, long ago established research and scholarships funds, and Susie remains a staunch supporter. Research initiated by industry professionals and funded by HRI, she states, “is unique and very much needed, and handled very well. It has really made a huge difference in the industry.”
The critical influence of horticulture industry leaders identifying research needs cannot be overemphasized. “The advantage is in having industry leaders in the leadership of HRI, [who are] constantly assessing the marketplace for the most current issues that need to be studied and addressed,” asserts Dale Bachman, retired CEO of Bachman’s Inc. in Minnesota. “It’s the industry leaders who volunteer to guide the whole process of establishing the priorities, and going out and soliciting the funds, and ultimately making the decisions on what is to be funded.” Again, who knows better how to ensure the long-term growth and strength of an industry than those whose livelihoods depend upon it? The targeted studies that address immediate and long-term challenges, the outcomes of which directly assist horticulture industry professionals to solve problems and move forward, have run the gamut. They range from insect pest and disease prevention or control to mechanization solutions that support efficiency and precision. “Without the experts working on some of the plant blights and insecticides and insect issues—and so forth—we probably would not have come as far as we have in the hort industry,” says Dennis Molitor, vice president of finance and accounting for Home Nursery in Albers, Illinois. “The other issue is mechanization; we’re seeing more and more automated work issues. I consider HRI to be a huge asset when it comes to any kind of research and development for our industry.” One area of research that has contributed to long-term industry sustainability involved pollinator health. Public concern about pesticide use, and the potential harm such chemicals can wreak upon pollinator populations, once was a public relations nightmare. Research into alternative treatments, as well as which plants the industry grows that attract pollinators and encourage a healthy population, provided solutions that helped on both fronts. Relying on trusted scientific findings, growers could treat their ornamental crops with effective alternatives, as well as grow plants proven to be beneficial to pollinators and popular among the gardening public. “The research we did in the benefits of plants and how that contributed to pollinator health really gave our retail community something they could sink their teeth into,” offers Harvey Cotten, Ad-Hoc Development Committee Chair for HRI. “They were able to use it in their marketing efforts to increase plant sales,” to the long-term benefit of the entire industry, he adds. The act of growing a plant is an investment in—and a commitment to—the future. And the act of investing in the horticulture industry, through targeted research and support of hort scholars, ensures that the future is vital, strong, and able to support generations to come. PRINT WITH PERMISSION: “Article provided by the Horticultural Research Institute. Author Sally Benson.” About HRI: The Horticultural Research Institute (HRI), the research affiliate of AmericanHort, has provided over $9.5 million in funds since 1962 to research projects covering a broad range of production, environmental, and business issues important to the green industry. Over $20 million is committed to the endowment by individuals, corporations, and associations. For more information about HRI, its grant-funded research, scholarships, or programming, visit www.hriresearch.org or contact Jennifer Gray at 614.884.1155.
Columbus, OH • 2130 Stella Court • Columbus, OH 43215 • (614)487-1117 Washington, DC • 525 9th Street NW, Suite 800 • Washington, DC 20004 • (202)789-2900
MARYLAND Green Industry EVENTS CALENDAR 2022 2023
For a full and updated calendar of events, and to find registration information and event links, please visit the MNLGA website at www.mnlga.org
DECEMBER
December 3-6, 2022 Maryland Farm Bureau Annual Convention & Meeting of the Delegates
Location: Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort Contact: MFB Office, 410-922-3426 mdfarmbureau.com
JANUARY
January 3-5 and 10-12, 2023 (virtual) • January 17-18, 2023 (in person lab) Advanced Landscape IPM PHC Short Course
Location: Virtual & In-person Contact: UMD Office, 301-405-3911 umdentomology@umd.com landscapeipmphc.weebly.com
JANUARY
January 11-13, 2023 MANTS
Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show
JANUARY
January 11, 2023 MNLGA Annual Meeting
Breakfast Meeting 7:15 – 8:45 a.m. Location: Baltimore Convention Center Contact: MNLGA Office, 410-823-8684 office@mnlga.org mnlga.org
JANUARY
January 23-27, 2023
MARYLAND
NURSERY, LANDSCAPE AND G REENHOUSE A SSOCIATION , I NC .
CPH – Basic Exam
FEBRUARY
February 16-17, 2023 Chesapeake Green 2023
JULY
July 11, 2023 Greenhouse Growers Field Day
MAY
May 15-19, 2023 CPH – Basic Exam
Maryland Nursery, Landscape, and Greenhouse Association...
OCTOBER
May 15-19, 2023 CPH – Basic Exam
We welcome the following into MNLGA membership! Full contact information may be found within the member portal of the MNLGA website, www. mnlga.org. We encourage you to reach out to your peer members – they may be a valuable business connection for you.
Samuel Quick Columbia Association Columbia, MD 21046
(Director's message continued from page 6) The education committee has continued to provide top notch in-person events throughout the year, and more are coming in 2023. Keep your eyes open for information on Chesapeake Green, Greenhouse Field Day, Nursery Field Day and any number of cooperative educational events with our friends and colleagues at the University of Maryland Extension. Thank you to all our venue hosts for opening their businesses to the membership. And much like members to step up and testify, our committees and events are always looking more input and companies to host events. Be sure to keep an eye on the calendar at mnlga.org and for announcements in Root of the Matter and Free State. We know you see these announcements because you respond when you want too … now it’s time to respond for the good of your peers and because it’s the right thing to do for you and the industry. In closing, I would like to thank our dedicated Free State writers who selflessly offer their time and expertise for every single issue produced, year after year. Join me in thanking Stanton, Jerry, Ginny, Leslie, Mike and new this year, Wendy Brister. We will always make room to the best of our ability for those who want to contribute to Free State and you don’t need to commit to every issue – if you’ve got a one-time feature or company news to share, please send it my way. I look forward to seeing you at the MNGLA Annual Meeting and MANTS. Until then, I hope you have a very happy holiday season. A Vanessa A. Finney Executive Director, MNLGA
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SPRING ISSUE PUBLICATION NOTICE
The deadline for submissions for the summer issue of Free State News is April 1, 2023. We welcome your company news and updates or columns with your professional insight, commentary, opinion, press release, or an educational contribution. E-mail any submissions to Free State News at freestate@mnlga.org or mail to: Maryland Nursery, Landscape,and Greenhouse Association, P.O. Box 726, Brooklandville, MD 21022
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